Non-Christians - What does this make you think about Christians?

Here's the story: A small public high school in Texas came under fire after cheerleaders made multiple run-through signs for football games with scripture references. Someone complained, and the end result is that the superintendent banned the banners (although a judge temporarily halted the ban, and more lawsuits are sure to follow), inciting a mass outcry from parents and Christians in general.

Now, the debate: My question isn't really who is in the right here. My question is more, what kind of statement does this make to non-Christians? Does it witness to you? Does it show that Christians are strong in their faith? Does it make the religion appeal to you or turn you off? Is this an effective way to reach the hearts and minds of non-Christians or is it exactly the opposite?

"Elven - she simply means non-believer of the Christian faith. It has nothing to do with believing in another faith. I would consider myself a non-believer of the Hindu religion, for example. Please take no offense."

^ I very much resent the term "non believer" as well. I don't believe in any religion but rest assured there are a million things I DO believe in. At any rate, I probably believe more than any christian.

I understand that the word is just something used often in xian circles though, however Its a misnomenclure.

As I posted, in all honesty, I did not intend to offend you or anyone else by saying non-believer. I would not shun ANYONE, either. Why would you think such a thing? I am sorry that you were upset by the wording as posted above, I sincerely had no clue. Lessons can be learned everyday. :)

clutehomestead- no, of course I didn't take offense to it! I grew up in a Gothard-style family for goodness sake... I KNOW it wasn't intended as shunning anyone :) I just wanted to make point of why I feel it is a misnomer.

I think that using Christian texts at school events is inappropriate and is alienating for non-Christian families.

But it doesn't change my impression of Christians as a group. I feel like groups of people are basically, on average, all the same. There are asshole atheists, jerk Christians, obnoxious pagans and douchecanoes in every belief system. There are also good, kind, thoughtful people everywhere.

I find people who INSIST that everyone else be exposed to their beliefs to be secretly the most insecure, and also extremely annoying, but again, those kind of people can be found anywhere.

Saying things like "non-believers" when talking about "non-Christians" or "non-Muslims" or "non-Pastafarians" or whatever group is exculsionary. You're drawing a line and saying some people are "out". That's not cool.

It implies that only the people who believe in a way that "counts" really believe. It denies the inherent right to disagree, because by disagreeing, we're less-than. By denying our beliefs, you're denying our inherent humanity, our ability to be good and to do good, our feelings and dreams.

And yes, that's a form of shunning.

It's the insidious creeping language of hatred.

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"I'm not mad at the polar bears at the zoo. I just don't want them in my living room shredding my furniture...so I don't invite them over." Renata711